Although many were expecting for Microsoft to announce
pricing on its highly anticipated external HD DVD drive
for the XBOX 360 at the 2007
Games Convention in Leipzig, it was not to be. As a consolation prize,
however, Microsoft has announced pricing and package details for a number of
other peripherals for the XBOX 360 gaming platforms -- many of which were first announced at E3.

First up is Microsoft’s $19.99 XBOX 360 Wireless Gaming
Receiver for Windows. This unit plugs into a USB 2.0 port on your PC and allows
you to use your XBOX 360's wireless peripherals in Windows-based games. It will
be available in late December.

Next is the XBOX Live Vision
camera which will be available in two separate packages. The first package,
which will be available for $39.99, will include the Live Vision camera, one month
of XBOX Live Gold and full versions of UNO and TotemBall. The $79.99 XBOX Live
Video Chat Gold Kit will include a Live Vision camera, one year of XBOX Live
Gold, 200 Microsoft Points, an XBOX 360 headset, and full versions of UNO,
TotemBall and Robotron. That is quite a deal considering that one year of XBOX
Live Gold is $50 by itself.

Also on tap is the $149.99 XBOX 360 Wireless Racing Wheel
which comes with a limited edition force feedback version of Project Gotham
Racing 3 and the $59.99 XBOX 360 Wireless Headset. Both will be available in
November.

"If you mod me down, I will become more insightful than you can possibly imagine." -- Slashdot